Chapter 8: New Morning

The morning light filtered through the curtains, pale and weak, rousing me from the depths of troubled sleep. I blinked slowly, my mind still caught in the fog of the nightmare that had plagued me through the night. My body felt awfully heavy, weighted down by the emotional exhaustion that always followed those dreams.

But physically, I was intact, there were no wounds or bruises, no evidence of the blood and darkness that had seemed so real in my sleep.

It was a relief, in a way. But also somehow disappointing, as if I’d woken expecting to find proof of the nightmare etched into my skin.

I sat up, running my hands over my arms and legs, checking mechanically for any sign of injury. Nothing. Just pale, unmarked skin and the lingering ache of emotions. I sighed, and pushed myself out of the bed, moving to the bathroom with slow steps.

The hot water felt like a blessing against my skin, washing away the residual tension from the night. I stood under the showerhead, letting the water cascade down my back, and forced myself to focus on the present moment though my heart still beat like crazy.

On the steamy glass, on the sound of water dripping, on anything other than the shadows that haunted my dreams.

When I emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were tired, swollen from crying, and dark circles underneath, but otherwise I looked… normal. Ordinary to the point I hoped no one would notice. Like any other twenty-one year old girl trying to navigate an uncertain future.

I dried off and pulled on a sundress, a soft lavender shade, simple and comfortable, and threw a cream cardigan over it. The act of dressing felt almost ceremonial, like I was putting on armorer, reclaiming a sense of normalcy and control that I’d lost somewhere in the chaos of many years.

I grabbed a cup of water from the side table and drank it. And decided to go out.

Walking down the corridor and passing Azran’s room, I felt something telling me to stop, but I walked, crossing the hallway, descending the stairs and walking to the back porch, needing air, needing space. The morning was crisp and cool, with a light breeze that carried the scent of pine and earth from the surrounding forest. I breathed it in deeply, trying to center myself, to push away the lingering unease that had followed me from years.

But even as I tried to focus on the sunlight and the birdsong, I found my gaze drawn to the tree line. To the dark mass of tress that bordered the property, mysterious and inviting in equal measure. I felt a pull, subtle but there, drawing me toward the trees.

It was irrational, I knew, I’d barely been here a day, and the woods were strange and unfamiliar. But something about them called out to me, whispered promises I couldn’t quite hear, showed me glimpses of a world I didn’t understand.

I took a step toward the edge of the property, then another, as if I was being hypnotized drawn by curiosity and something I couldn’t name. The trees loomed before me, welcoming me. I hesitated at the edge.

“Beautiful morning, isn’t it?”

The voice came from behind me, and I spun around to find Azran standing on the porch, watching me with an unreadable expression. He was dressed casually, in dark jeans and a fitted black t-shirt that showed off his athletic build. His dark hair contrasting against his skin, amber eyes, those unsettling, knowing orbs, were fixed on me.

“I didn’t hear you come out,” he said, voice smooth and calm as ever. “Sleep well?”

Before I could answer, his gaze shifted, moving past me to scan the forest beyond the fence. His jaw tightened, just slightly, and something flickered across his handsome features. Annoyance maybe before eh fixed his eyes back on me.

“Don’t go wandering off like that,” He said, his tone taking on a firmer edge. “The woods aren’t safe for someone alone. Especially not a night.”

“But it’s morning,” I protested, surprised by the defensiveness in my own voice. “And I’m not planning on going in there anyway. I just… I don’t know. I needed some air.”

Azran’s eyes returned to me, and he takes a step down from the porch, closing the distance between us. “You don’t need to explain yourself to me,” he said, but there was no real heat in his words. If anything, he seemed almost… fond? “But I want you to be careful. There are people around here who aren’t… trustworthy.”

The warning made my stomach twist uncomfortably. I thought of Ian, of his crude comments and unsettling implications. And felt a spike of anger mixed with confusion. “Like who?”  I asked despite the turmoil inside me.

“Like that asshole,” Azran took a step toward me, his hand reaching out to grip my arm, not roughly, but firmly enough to make his presence known. "Ian," he said, the name coming out like a curse. "You saw Ian."

It wasn't a question. I felt a chill run down my spine at the intensity in his voice, at the way he seemed to know exactly what I was talking about without me having to elaborate.

“Yes,” I said quietly looking into his eyes. “He manhandled me.”

Azran’s grip tightened just slightly and I saw something flash across his face. “That son of a bitch,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to me. He released my arm, and stepped back, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry you had to deal with him. He has a way of making people… uncomfortable. “

"He lives here too, doesn't he?"

"Yes," Azran admitted, his expression carefully neutral. "He does. But that doesn't mean I have to like him, or approve of his behaviour." He paused, studying my face with an intensity that made me want to look away. "Did he hurt you? Physically, I mean."

The question caught me off guard, and I had to think for a moment before answering. "No," I said finally. "He didn't hurt me physically. But it was... unsettling. And then he said something about you."

Azran's eyes narrowed. "What did he say?"

"He said..." I hesitated, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “Something about your brother.”